Improving your grade
In order to be able to write a piece of coursework worthy of top marks you will need to know how each piece is marked and what the examiners are looking for evidence of.
Each piece of coursework is assessed in a slightly different way- sometimes on how well you write and sometimes on how well you understand the texts.
However for each different grade there should be evidence of a different level of understanding;
- A* = originality in interpretation of ideas
- A = interpretation of ideas
- B = analysis of ideas
- C = insight into ideas
- D = understand ideas
- E = familiar with ideas
- F = aware of ideas
- G = respond to text
Underneath is a more detailed guide to each of the mark schemes we use to assess your work, as well as some suggestions on how to improve your work to reach the next grade.
You can also look at some examples of excellent work if you click here
This is usually Animal Farm
C grade
You realise that the meaning of language is really important to writing- for example you explain what complicated or unusual words mean
You know that the characters created are designed to make us think about the themes- for example the neighbouring farmers represent greed and worry about change
You realise that the novel has some relevance- for example that we must think about who we let be our leaders
B grade
Your opinion of the play is given in your essay and is based on evidence from the play-for example PEE has the phrases... I think...In my opinion... I believe.
You realise that the novel was important after 1917 but is also important today- for example you consider what these two audiences are supposed to think about at the end
Your explanations in PEE are detailed and show that you have really thought about what the evidence shows you about a theme or character
A grade
You make cross references between how a character was in one scene compared to another- for example explaining how Napoleon is at the start then how he is at the end
You realise that language is often emotive and ironic- for example we are supposed to react to the way the pigs are similar to the humans at the end of the story
You understand that there is a moral lesson in the novel- for example you explain the moral and how and what it made you think
A* grade
Your ideas about the novel are strong and unusual but are still based on the text- you write in about them in a really accurate and enthusiastic way.
You can see patterns in language and can explain what these suggest to you- look at the descriptions of the animals
You realise the novel's moral could effect whole societies today- for example situations where families or whole countries are lead by irresponsible leaders.
This is usually Blood Brothers or An Inspector Calls
C grade
You realise that the time and place a play is set in is important to the ideas in the play- for example in Blood Brothers Mrs Johnstone and her family are unemployed just as lots of people in the 1980s who lived in Liverpool were.
You can make comparisons between characters, ideas and themes in the play- for example explaining that Mrs Johnstone is very different to Mrs Lyons in Blood Brothers.
B grade
You realise that there is more than one meaning in a play, there are layers of meaning- for example
You make comparisons and then consider how they show what the writer is concerned with- for example that the two mothers are different in Blood Brothers which shows that there was a huge divide between the working and middle classes in the 1980s
You consider why the time and the place a play is set is so important- for example why did the author chose the time- what did they want us to think?
A grade
You consider different ways of looking at a text- for example finding evidence that Mrs Johnstone is a proud mother not just a struggling mother.
This way of thinking will be evident throughout your essay.
You argue your points persuasively and show excitement in writing about the play- you consider the impact of all the language choices you make.
A* grade
You have a strong opinion on a text and write about it enthusiastically
You show empathy (understanding how they feel) with the characters and ideas presented
Your ideas are all your own and some of them may be a bit unusual yet there is evidence to support them in the text
This is usually Romeo and Juliet, Henry V or The Merchant of Venice
C grade
You realise that the meaning of language is really important to Shakespeare's writing- for example you explain what complicated or unusual words mean such as "ambling"
You know that the characters Shakespeare created are designed to make us think about the themes- for example the Montague's and Capulet's represent bitter grudges and unnecessary fighting and violence
You realise that the play has some relevance- for example that the young lovers stop the war when they die
B grade
Your opinion of the play is given in your essay and is based on evidence from the play-for example PEE has the phrases... I think...In my opinion... I believe.
You realise that the play was important for Elizabethans but is also important today- for example you consider what Shakespeare wants these two audiences to think about at the end?
Your explanations in PEE are detailed and show that you have really thought about what the evidence shows you about a theme or character
A grade
You make cross references between how a character was in one scene compared to another- for example explaining how Romeo is with Benvolio then with the Friar.
You realise that Shakespeare's language is often poetic- for example Romeo's descriptions of Juliet use certain poetic devices.
You understand that there is a moral lesson in the play- for example you explain the moral and how and what it made you think
A* grade
Your ideas about a play are strong and unusual but are still based on the text- you write in about them in a really accurate and enthusiastic way.
You can see patterns in Shakespeare's language and the images he creates- for example you look closely at the language he uses when Romeo meets Juliet.
You realise the play's moral could effect whole societies today- for example situations where families or whole countries are at war.
This is usually the Superstitious Stories or Hound of the Baskervilles
C grade
You realise that the time and place a story is set in is important to the ideas in the play- for example in the superstitious stories the belief in ghosts is very important to the characters
You can make comparisons between characters, ideas and themes in the stories for example explaining that the main characters are all a bit odd in the superstitious stories
B grade
You realise that there is more than one meaning in a story, there are layers of meaning- for example that the bell being heavy signals a death but it also reminds us about how the villagers believed superstitions.
You make comparisons and then consider how they show what the writer is concerned with- for example why do these strange things happen to characters who are described as strange
You consider why the time and the place a play is set is so important- for example why did the author chose this time- what did he want us to think about life before scientific discoveries
A grade
You consider different ways of looking at a text- for example finding evidence that Isaac's wife is not just a violent lunatic
This way of thinking will be evident throughout your essay.
You argue your points persuasively and show excitement in writing about the play- you consider the impact of all the language choices you make.
A* grade
You have a strong opinion on a text and write about it enthusiastically
You show empathy (understanding how they feel) with the characters and ideas presented
Your ideas are all your own and some of them may be a bit unusual yet there is evidence to support them in the text
This is always a short story although the title will vary from class to class
C grade
You use interesting vocabulary to make your point- for example avoid ...good...bad...rubbish...ok...great...exciting...instead use a thesaurus to find more interesting words
Your paragraphs are correct- you have started a new one for each new idea
You use different words to open your sentences and the sentences are different lengths- these must be checked
B grade
Your description of both settings and characters is in enough detail to make the reader feel they are there- for example you use APISS
Your vocabulary choices are always well thought out- for example you use alliteration or groups of 3 adjectives to make them seem more interesting
Each part of your writing makes sense- it is controlled- you need to check through your work or get someone else to, make sure your tense is the always the same.
A grade
Your writing is shaped and a pleasure to read- for example you have thought about overall structure (like the whiskey glass in Lamb to the slaughter)
Your spelling is always accurate and you have used some posh punctuation- for example a colon, semi-colon or ellipsis.
Your writing is a mixture of subtle and obvious ideas- for example you think about what certain colours or weathers or places suggest and use them in your writing
A* grade
Your vocabulary is extensive and accurate as well as being sophisticated- for example you use poetic devices such as alliteration, metaphors, personification etc.
Your writing engages your audience- for example you have thought about the target audience and adapted your writing to them.
Your sentence and paragraph structures are designed for effect- for example they change in length to shock, manipulate, amuse etc.
This is usually a film review or the Blackadder essay
C grade
You use interesting vocabulary to make your point- for example avoid ...good...bad...rubbish...ok...great...exciting...instead use a thesaurus to find more interesting words
Your paragraphs are correct- you have started a new one for each new idea
You use different words to open your sentences and the sentences are different lengths- these must be checked
B grade
You realise that the ways a film is produced is important to how people react to it- for example think about settings, costumes, mise en scene etc
Your opinion will be obvious at times and more subtle at other points- for example think about how adjectives can work as well as phrases like ... I think...In my opinion... I believe...
Each part of your writing makes sense- it is controlled- you need to check through your work or get someone else to, make sure your tense is the always the same.
A grade
Your writing is persuasive- you know what you think and use the principles of FEARRR to convince others you are right
Your spelling is always accurate and you have used some posh punctuation- for example a colon, semi-colon or ellipsis.
Your writing is a mixture of your over all opinion as well as looking at some scenes in lots of detail
A* grade
Your vocabulary is extensive and accurate as well as being sophisticated- for example you use poetic devices such as alliteration, metaphors, personification etc.
You use the technical terms when writing about the way a film is produced- for example mise en scene
Your sentence and paragraph structures are designed for effect- for example they change in length to shock, manipulate, amuse etc.
